2017 Special Recognition: Voice of Social Justice Bob Ferguson

The GSBA Business & Humanitarian Awards honor businesses and business leaders who are successful, exemplify the highest standards of their profession, promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, demonstrate leadership and invest time and resources into their community.

2017 Special Recognition - Voice of Social Justice: Bob Ferguson, Washington State Attorney General

As the state’s chief legal officer, Attorney General Bob Ferguson is committed to protecting the people of Washington against powerful interests that don’t play by the rules. He was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2017 after successfully blocking President Trump’s executive order barring travel from seven Muslim-majority countries. An internationally ranked chess master, he has won each of the lawsuits against the federal government that have been heard so far. He personally argued before the Washington Supreme Court against Arlene’s Flowers in their attempts to deny service to a same-sex couple. The Supreme Court subsequently ruled unanimously that refusing to serve same-sex couples violates the Consumer Protection Act and the Law Against Discrimination. In his own department, he formed the Wing Luke Civil Rights Unit, the very first within the Attorney General’s Office dedicated to protecting the civil rights of all those who live in our state, as well as the Counsel for Environmental Protection. There are few as well suited to the Voice for Social Justice Award as Attorney General Ferguson, whose vigorous defense of all Washingtonians has been critical in safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of thousands across our state.

We flourish as a community. We value our local and independent businesses, support our nonprofits, and come together to recognize, value, and celebrate the strength we have when we all work together. Together We Rise.